Maine calls its LIHEAP program “HEAP” — the Home Energy Assistance Program — administered by the Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing). HEAP helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs including fuel oil, propane, natural gas, firewood, pellets, and electricity. The 2026 HEAP season opens August 3, 2026 — one of the earliest application openings in the country.
Maine HEAP is notable for several features unique in this series: a mandatory electric bill discount (LIAP) automatically unlocked for all HEAP recipients, a medical expense deduction that can lower your countable income to qualify even if you’re slightly over the income limit, and a 48-hour emergency fuel response through the ECIP crisis program.
What Does Maine HEAP Cover?
Fuel Assistance (HEAP) — a one-time payment per heating season toward home heating costs, paid directly to your fuel or utility vendor. Benefit range: $88 minimum to $1,012 maximum for FY 2026. Benefits depend on household size, income, heating costs, and other household expenses. Available year-round (August through May 29).
Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) — emergency heating help for households in an immediate energy crisis. Maximum: $800 (ECIP only; a household may receive both HEAP and ECIP). ECIP is available November 1 through April 30. Once found eligible, help arrives within 48 hours.
An eligible HEAP household automatically qualifies for ECIP income eligibility — you do not need to re-prove income. An ECIP benefit does not reduce your HEAP benefit.
Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) — repair or replacement of a broken central heating system. Priority given to households with no heat. Available to HEAP-eligible households. For rental properties with HEAP-eligible tenants, limited CHIP benefits of up to $600 may be available. Contact your local CAA.
Weatherization Assistance — free home energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, sealing, heating system improvements). Income limit: the greater of 150% FPL or 60% SMI. Program year runs October 1 through March 31.
Low-Income Assistance Program (LIAP) — Mandatory Electric Discount — Maine law requires all transmission and distribution utilities to offer LIAP to all HEAP-eligible customers. If you qualify for HEAP, you automatically unlock a monthly credit on your electric bill based on your income and electricity usage. This is not a one-time payment — it is an ongoing monthly discount, credited each month for up to 12 months. Contact your utility or your local CAA to enroll in LIAP.
Arrearage Management Program (AMP) — for HEAP recipients who are enrolled in HEAP or the Electricity Lifeline Program, AMP helps reduce past-due electricity balances by as much as $500 each month — as long as current monthly payments are made on time. Available through Central Maine Power (CMP) and other Maine utilities.
Maine HEAP Income Limits 2026
Maine uses the greater of 60% of State Median Income (SMI) or 150% of the Federal Poverty Level for all programs — HEAP fuel assistance, ECIP, weatherization, and CHIP. This “greater of” standard is specifically documented in the MaineHousing HEAP Guide.
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit (approx. 60% Maine SMI) |
|---|---|
| 1 | ~$2,893 |
| 2 | ~$3,785 |
| 3 | ~$4,677 |
| 4 | ~$5,569 |
| 5 | ~$6,461 |
| 6 | ~$7,353 |
| 7 | ~$7,969 |
| 8 | ~$8,248 |
Based on 60% Maine SMI. Maine publishes the official income eligibility chart at mainehousing.org/charts/HEAP-Income-Eligibility. Confirm the current table before applying. For households of 10 or more, 150% FPL applies.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: Maine HEAP has no asset test.
Medical expense deduction: If your household income is slightly over the HEAP income guidelines, you may still qualify. Maine allows paid, documented medical expenses to be deducted from household income when determining eligibility. This means that even if your gross income exceeds the limit, qualifying medical costs may reduce your countable income below the threshold. This medical deduction is unique to Maine in this LIHEAP series — no other state in this series has a comparable income adjustment for medical expenses.
Child support deduction: If you pay court-ordered child support, you may be able to deduct those amounts from your household income as well.
Categorical eligibility (SNAP and TANF): Households with members included on a Maine DHHS Notice of Decision for TANF or SNAP assistance are considered categorically income-eligible for HEAP — their income has already been vetted. The household’s benefit is calculated based on the highest FPL allowable for their benefit type.
Maine’s August Application Opening — Earliest in the Country
Maine begins accepting HEAP applications on August 3, 2026 — months before most states open in October or November. This early opening reflects Maine’s severe winters and the importance of helping households lock in fuel deliveries and plan heating budgets before cold weather arrives.
MaineHousing notes that appointments fill quickly after opening. Priority households (see below) are served first. Apply as early as possible — funds usually run out before the May 29 application period closes.
Priority Households
Maine serves priority households first:
- Household member who pays for heat AND is age 60 or older
- Household member who pays for heat AND is 72 months (6 years) or younger
- Household member who pays for heat AND is disabled
These households have first access during the initial weeks of the program season.
Who Qualifies for Maine HEAP
To be eligible for HEAP:
- Maine residency as primary dwelling
- Income at or below 60% Maine SMI (or 150% FPL if higher); may be reduced by medical expenses
- Responsibility for heating costs — either direct-billed or heat included in rent (with limitations)
Renters with heat in rent: Renters may qualify in some circumstances — contact your local CAA. Households in subsidized housing with heat included in rent are not eligible for ECIP.
ECIP ineligibility: Households that have an alternative safe and operable heating system with fuel supply, or that have an unpaid HEAP overpayment balance and have not entered into a repayment agreement, are not eligible for ECIP.
How to Apply for Maine HEAP
Step 1 — Apply Online or Through Your Local CAA
Online: Apply at mainehousing.org (the online application goes live on August 3, 2026). The online portal allows you to submit without an in-person visit and check benefit status.
By phone or in person: Find your local Community Action Agency at mainehousing.org using the zip code lookup tool. Call your local CAA to schedule an appointment. Also administered through ProsperityME (formerly Coastal Enterprises). For a general application process overview, see how to apply for LIHEAP. Maine’s MaineHousing contact is also listed in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
MaineHousing main line: 800-452-4668 | (207) 626-4600
Step 2 — Apply for ECIP (If You Have a Heating Emergency)
If you have an immediate heating emergency — running very low on fuel, facing a shutoff, or having a broken heating system between November 1 and April 30 — contact your local CAA and tell them you need emergency heating assistance. You must first have a HEAP application on file (or apply at the same time). Once found eligible, assistance is provided within 48 hours.
Step 3 — Required Documents
- Photo ID for the applicant
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of household income — pay stubs, SNAP/TANF/SSI award letters, Social Security benefit statements
- Documented medical expenses (if applying the medical deduction)
- Most recent heating fuel bill or delivery receipt
- Rental agreement (if applicable)
Step 4 — Enroll in LIAP After Approval
Once approved for HEAP, contact your electric utility to enroll in the Low-Income Assistance Program (LIAP). You may also receive a letter from DHHS stating you qualify — take it to your utility to enroll. The AMP past-due reduction program can also be accessed through your CAA.
Once approved, follow up on your application at how to track your LIHEAP application status for general guidance, then contact your CAA for Maine-specific status updates.
Maine Harvest Bucks — SNAP Matching at Farmers’ Markets
Maine SNAP recipients can use Maine Harvest Bucks at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands — doubling their purchasing power on fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $10 per visit. While this is a SNAP program rather than HEAP, households receiving HEAP often also receive Maine SNAP — see Maine SNAP income limits and eligibility for details.
Maine HEAP Funding 2026
Maine received $42,697,525 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $1,280,506 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, Maine served 43,599 heating households, 6,051 winter crisis households, and 367 weatherization projects. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare Maine’s allocation with other states.
Maine usually receives about $41 million per heating season. The average HEAP benefit for the Penquis area in the 2024–2025 season was approximately $475.
Additional Resources for Maine Families
Maine SNAP: Check Maine SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Maine.
Maine Medicaid (MaineCare): Check Maine Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Maine WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across Maine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HEAP in Maine?
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) is Maine’s name for the federal LIHEAP program, administered by Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing). It helps qualified households pay heating costs through fuel assistance, emergency crisis help (ECIP), heating system repair (CHIP), and weatherization.
When does Maine HEAP open for applications?
Applications for the 2026 HEAP season open August 3, 2026 — one of the earliest openings in the country. Apply as soon as possible; funds typically run out before the May 29 deadline.
What is the LIAP electric discount?
The Low-Income Assistance Program (LIAP) is a mandatory monthly electric bill discount for all HEAP-eligible customers. Maine law requires all transmission and distribution utilities to offer it. After HEAP approval, contact your utility to enroll — you’ll receive a monthly credit for up to 12 months.
Can I deduct medical expenses to qualify for Maine HEAP?
Yes — Maine allows paid, documented medical expenses to be deducted from household income when determining HEAP eligibility. If your income is slightly over the limit but you have medical costs, you may still qualify. This deduction is unique to Maine in this LIHEAP series.
How quickly does Maine ECIP crisis assistance arrive?
Once a household is found eligible for ECIP, assistance arrives within 48 hours. Call your local CAA immediately if you have a heating emergency between November 1 and April 30.
For current Maine HEAP information and to apply, visit mainehousing.org or call 800-452-4668. The 2026 HEAP season opens August 3, 2026.